Abutilon plant named ‘NUABRED’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Abutilon  named ‘NUABRED’ that is characterized by a compact habit, medium green leaves, scarlet red flowers with prominent cream-green calyces, and a long blooming season. In combination these traits set ‘NUABRED’ apart from all other existing varieties of Abutilon known to the inventor.

Genus: Abutilon.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘NUABRED’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAbutilon×hybrida, commonly known as Chinese lantern. The new cultivar isin the family Malvaceae. Known botanically as Abutilon×hybrida the newvariety will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘NUABRED’.

‘NUABRED’ is the result of a breeding program that commenced in 2000 inPennant Hills, New South Wales, Australia. The objectives of thebreeding program are to develop compact forms of Abutilon withsignificantly improved flowering characteristics, particularly a longflowering period, floriferous nature, and a wide range of flower colorpresented well at the time of sale.

‘NUABRED’ is a seedling selection resulting from the controlledcross-pollination of two parents which had been raised and retained bythe inventor for breeding purposes. The female parent is an individualseedling known to the inventor as X05.5 (unreleased and unpatented). Themale parent is an individual seedling known to the inventor as X05.1(unreleased and unpatented). Cross-pollination was conducted by theinventor during 2006. The resulting seed was collected and sown by theinventor in January 2007, then grown out. In December 2007 the inventorselected ‘NUABRED’ based on the breeding objectives.

‘NUABRED’ is distinguishable from the parent selections by plant sizeand habit and by flower color. Both parent selections exhibit largeleaves and less compact habit when compared with ‘NUABRED’. Whereas theflower color of ‘NUABRED’ is scarlet red in color, the flowers of thefemale parent are darker red in color and the flowers of the male parentare smaller in size.

The closest comparison plant in commerce known to the inventor would bea seedling of similar flower color (if available) which can be raisedfrom the Bella series of Abutilon, which is a seed strain. There are nonamed cultivars in this series which does not have the longevity offlowering period which is a characteristic of ‘NUABRED’ which appears tobe sterile.

‘NUABRED’ exhibits compact habit, bell-shaped blooms that are scarletred in color, with prominent cream-green calyces and medium sized greenleaves. Flowers have a long flowering season, blooming from springthrough fall. ‘NUABRED’ is suitable for use in containers and in thegarden and landscape, performing best in well-drained soil and full sunwith moderate water. Trimming stems when young, and after blooming,encourages strong basal branching and re-blooming. After one year ofgrowth, a plant of ‘NUABRED’ achieves 50 cm. in height and 40 cm. inwidth. As a mature plant, the dimensions of ‘NUABRED’ are 80 cm. inheight and 70 cm. in width. Other than hibiscus beetle and whiteflywhich are attracted to the genus, ‘NUABRED’ does not exhibit any notablesusceptibility or resistance to pests and diseases. ‘NUABRED’ is hardyin USDA Zone 8, and tolerant of heat and drought once established.

‘NUABRED’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in December2007 in Macquarie Fields, New South Wales, Australia. Asexualpropagation was accomplished using softwood cuttings. Since that time,under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics of‘NUABRED’ have been determined stable and uniform, and to reproduce trueto type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newAbutilon cultivar named ‘NUABRED’. In combination these traits set‘NUABRED’ apart from all other existing varieties of Abutilon known tothe inventor. ‘NUABRED’ has not been tested under all possibleconditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without anyvariance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘NUABRED’ is perennial in temperatures above 15° Fahrenheit.    -   2. The growth habit of ‘NUABRED’ is compact due to its short        internodes and freely branching structure.    -   3. ‘NUABRED’ achieves a height of 50 cm. and a spread of 40 cm.        in the first year of growth.    -   4. ‘NUABRED’ achieves a height of 80 cm. and a spread of 70 cm.        at maturity.    -   5. The stems of ‘NUABRED’ are strong and rigid.    -   6. The flowers of ‘NUABRED’ are bell-shaped facing downward and        outward.    -   7. The flowers of ‘NUABRED’ are scarlet red in color.    -   8. The calyces of ‘NUABRED’ are prominent cream-green in color.    -   9. ‘NUABRED’ appears to be sterile and blooms from spring        through fall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Abutilon cultivar named ‘NUABRED’ showing color of the foliage andflower as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in colorreproductions of this type.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts a whole plant of ‘NUABRED’.

Drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the scarlet redflowers of ‘NUABRED’ and their cream-green calyces.

The drawings are made using conventional techniques and although foliagecolor may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance,they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Abutilon cultivar named‘NUABRED’. Data was collected in Santa Barbara, Calif. from one year oldplants grown outdoors in 1-litre containers. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Abutilon×hybrida ‘NUABRED’.-   Family: Malvaceae.-   Genus: Abutilon.-   Species: ×hybrida.-   Denomination: ‘NUABRED’.-   Common name: Chinese lantern.-   Use: Pot and container, garden border, and modern landscape.-   Parentage: Abutilon×hybrida ‘NUABRED’ is a seedling selection    resulting from the deliberate controlled cross-pollination of the    following parents:    -   -   Female parent.—An individual Abutilon X05.5 (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—An individual Abutilon X05.1 (unpatented).-   Vigor: Vigorous.-   Growth habit: Compact.-   Dimensions first year: 50 cm in height and 40 cm in width.-   Dimensions at maturity: 80 cm in height and 70 cm in width.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 8.-   Propagation: Softwood cuttings.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in full sun and well-drained soils with    moderate water, drought tolerant once established.-   Type: Perennial.-   Time to initiate roots (range): 14-28 days to produce roots on an    initial cutting.-   Crop time (range): 6-8 weeks to produce a 4-inch container plant    from a 72 cell transplant (spring planting) and 10-12 weeks to    produce a 1-litre container plant from a 72 cell transplant (spring    planting).-   Seasonal interest: Showy flowers and calyces spring through fall.-   Pests and diseases: Other than hibiscus beetle and whitefly which    are attracted to the genus, ‘NUABRED’ does not exhibit any notable    susceptibility or resistance to pests and diseases.-   Special considerations: Trim back when young and after blooming to    encourage strong basal branching and re-blooming.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.        -   Stem length (range).—15 cm to 23 cm.        -   Stem diameter.—0.40 cm.        -   Stem texture.—Soft woody.        -   Stem strength.—Strong and rigid.        -   Internode length (average).—2 cm.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Surface.—Glabrous.        -   Branch color.—138B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf margin.—Crenate.        -   Leaf shape (range).—Cordate to ovate.        -   Leaf base.—Cordate.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate and reticulate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—145B.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—145B.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial).—Pubescent.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial).—Pubescent with veins lanate.        -   Leaf texture.—Velutinous.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions (average).—2.50 cm in length and 1 mm in            width.        -   Petiole color.—147B.        -   Petiole surface.—Puberulent.        -   Leaf length (range).—5.5-7 cm.        -   Leaf width (range).—1.5-5 cm.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—137A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—N138B.        -   Stipules.—Present.        -   Stipule color.—145B.        -   Stipule dimensions.—4 mm in length and 3 mm in diameter.        -   Stipule apex.—Acute.        -   Foliar fragrance.—Absent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Cyme.        -   Dimensions of inflorescence (average).—4 cm in length and 10            cm in width.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence (range).—3-4 per cyme.        -   Flower arrangement.—Clustered.        -   Flower shape.—Campanulate.        -   Flower diameter (range).—4.50 cm-5.00 cm.        -   Flower depth (average).—4.50 cm.        -   Aspect.—Pendulous.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning        -   Bud color.—145A.        -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.        -   Bud length (range).—1.10 cm to 1.60 cm.        -   Bud diameter (range).—1.00 cm to 1.50 cm.        -   Bud apex.—Acute.        -   Bud surface.—Pubescent.        -   Petals.—Five in number.        -   Petal shape.—Obdeltoid.        -   Petal apex.—Obtuse.        -   Petal base.—Attenuate.        -   Petal length.—3.60 cm.        -   Petal width.—3.50 cm.        -   Petal margin.—Entire and involute.        -   Petal color (abaxial surface).—45A.        -   Petal color (adaxial surface).—45A.        -   Petals unfused or fused.—Unfused and individually adnate to            stamen column.        -   Petal surface (abaxial and adaxial surface).—Glabrous.        -   Epicalyx.—Absent.        -   Calyx shape.—Lobed.        -   Calyx color (dorsal and ventral surfaces).—145C.        -   Calyx surface (dorsal and ventral).—Pubescent.        -   Calyx dimensions.—2.50 cm in diameter and 1.50 cm in length.        -   Lobes.—5 in number.        -   Lobe dimensions.—1 cm in length and 0.75 cm in width.        -   Lobe apex.—Broad acute.        -   Lobe base.—Truncate.        -   Lobes fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Lobe margin.—Entire.        -   Blooming season.—Spring through fall.        -   Peduncle arrangement.—Axillary.        -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Peduncle length.—1 cm to 2 cm.        -   Peduncle width.—1 mm.        -   Peduncle color.—146D.        -   Peduncle surface.—Flocculent.        -   Flower fragrance.—Absent.-   Reproduction organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Many filaments connate into hollow stamen column.        -   Stamen column color.—9A.        -   Stamen column dimensions.—3 cm in length and 2 mm in            diameter.        -   Stamen column surface.—Fluted and glabrous.        -   Anther.—Approximately 75 in number.        -   Anther color.—16A.        -   Shape of anther.—Crescent-shaped.        -   Dimensions of anther.—4 mm in length and less than 0.50 mm            in diameter.        -   Pollen quantity.—Heavy.        -   Pollen color.—16A.        -   Style.—5 in number, many enclosed within stamen column.        -   Stigma number (average).—9 in number.        -   Stigma.—Exserted and divided.        -   Stigma color.—34B; except lower one-third of length, N34D.        -   Stigma dimensions.—2 cm in length and less than 0.50 mm in            diameter.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary shape.—Conic.        -   Ovary color.—145D.        -   Ovary dimensions.—6 mm in height and 3 mm in width.-   Seed: None observed to date.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Abutilonplant named ‘NUABRED’ as described and illustrated.